Arias trial wraps for day, continues Tuesday

FILE - Jodi Arias cries as Steven Alexander, brother of murder victim Travis Alexander, makes his "victim impact statement" to the jury in this Thursday, May 16, 2013 file photo, during the penalty phase of the Jodi Arias trial at Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix. Arias returns to court Monday May 20, 2013 for the continuation of her trial after being convicted of murder in her lover's killing as jurors consider a life sentence or execution. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Rob Schumache
— AP

FILE - Jodi Arias cries as Steven Alexander, brother of murder victim Travis Alexander, makes his "victim impact statement" to the jury in this Thursday, May 16, 2013 file photo, during the penalty phase of the Jodi Arias trial at Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix. Arias returns to court Monday May 20, 2013 for the continuation of her trial after being convicted of murder in her lover's killing as jurors consider a life sentence or execution. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, Rob Schumache
/ AP

PHOENIX 
The penalty phase of the Jodi Arias murder trial wrapped up for the day Monday after a series of legal arguments in which her defense lawyers asked for a mistrial and to withdraw from the case.

The trial is scheduled to continue Tuesday with Arias speaking to the jury.

The judge denied the defense's request for a mistrial based on a key witness receiving death threats. In protest of the judge's decision, defense lawyers Kirk Nurmi and Jennifer Willmott asked to withdraw.

The judge promptly denied that request, too.

The defense then said they have no plans to call any witnesses, sending the court into recess as lawyers worked to resolve the next step. They later decided Arias would speak to the jury Tuesday.

Arias and an ex-boyfriend had been expected to speak to jurors before the panel begins deliberating whether to sentence the 32-year-old Arias to life in prison or execution for murdering her lover in 2008.

Arias was convicted of first-degree murder earlier this month in the death of Travis Alexander. Last week, jurors heard tearful comments from Alexander's brother and sister as they described how his killing has torn their lives apart.

Judge Sherry Stephens instructed jurors they could consider a handful of factors when deciding what sentence to impose, including Arias' lack of a prior criminal record and assertions that she was a good friend, had an abusive childhood and is a talented artist.

In opening statements, prosecutor Juan Martinez told the panel none of those factors should cause the jury to even consider a sentence other than death, given the brutal nature of the killing.

"When you understand who Ms. Arias is, you will understand that life is the appropriate sentence," Nurmi said.

Arias, 32, acknowledged killing Alexander at his suburban Phoenix home on June 4, 2008. She initially denied any involvement and later blamed the attack on masked intruders. Two years after her arrest, Arias said she killed Alexander in self-defense.

The victim suffered nearly 30 knife wounds, had his throat slit from ear to ear and was shot in the forehead. Prosecutors say the attack was fueled by jealous rage after Alexander wanted to end his affair with Arias and prepared to take a trip to Mexico with another woman.

Jurors convicted Arias on May 8 of first-degree murder, with all 12 unanimously agreeing it was premeditated, after about 15 hours of deliberations over four days.

The panel later took less than three hours to determine the killing was especially cruel, meaning the death penalty would be a consideration for sentencing.

The ongoing penalty proceedings will be the final phase of the trial. Jurors are expected to begin deliberating Arias' ultimate fate this week.

The proceedings will play out like a mini-trial as the prosecutor will be allowed to cross-examine each witness, and both sides will offer closing arguments before the jury begins deliberations.

Under Arizona law, if the jury cannot reach a unanimous decision on sentencing, the panel will be dismissed and jury selection will begin anew. Another panel would then be seated to hear arguments in only the penalty phase to determine a sentence. If the second panel cannot reach a unanimous agreement, the judge will then sentence Arias to either her entire life in prison or life in prison with the possibility of release after 25 years.